The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) top leadership including its President Nelson Chamisa and deputy chairperson Tendai Biti yesterday sent the public into euphoria when they appeared before the Commission of Inquiry into the post election violence to make their submissions.
The commission invited the duo to respond to allegations of their involvement in the 1st of August fracas by previous witnesses.
Self exiled former cabinet minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo described Biti’s submissions as comprehensive, informing and compelling.
“Only incorrigible malcontents will dispute that Tendai Biti’s testimony at the Motlanthe Commission was top drawer: well considered, comprehensive, thorough, detailed, eloquent, informing and compelling. The rest is up to the Commission to do justice to its integrity for posterity!
“Today Chamisa and Biti did the nation proud in ways that will reverberate far and wide in and outside Zimbabwe. God took over and spoke through them. The people’s narrative was told. There’s a huge sigh of relief and hope across the nation. It’s now on Motlanthe’s shoulders!”
Renowned constitutional lawyer Fadzayi Mahere weighed in saying Biti’s submissions reflected a long standing fight for democracy in the country and that only democracy can be used as tool to build Zimbabwe.
“The best aspect of Biti’s evidence was that it located the events of 1 August within the broader struggle for democracy in Zimbabwe. The take-home is that we have a nation to build and its foundations must be strong. Democracy is the only way,” Mahere wrote on twitter yesterday.
United Kingdom based lecturer Alex Magaisa said praised the Harare East lawmaker for keeping his calm throughout even though there was potential for conflict with some of the commissioners.
“Biti spoke charmingly of his old comrade who sat behind the desk, as a commissioner. Despite the potential conflict, Biti was soft towards him. Instead, he appealed to the conscience of his friend: You are one of us. We suffered together. The system battered us together,” he wrote today.
Meanwhile, Chamisa pleaded with Motlanthe to invite President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputy Constantino Chiwenga to appear before the commission and answer to the various allegations raised against them by previous witnesses.
The commission will today hear submissions from former Home Affairs minister and Zanu PF Secretary for Administration Obert Mpofu who has been also invited to testify.
